aespa is facing backlash after SM Entertainment announced their new lightstick will only be sold on-site at upcoming Seoul concerts.
SM revealed a completely redesigned “Version 2” lightstick instead of an upgrade to the original, sparking mixed reactions online. The bigger issue: fans can only buy the lightstick at booths outside aespa’s concerts on August 29, 30, and 31. No online pre-orders will be available.
This means fans will have to queue in the summer heat just to get one.
aespa leader Karina apologized on Bubble, revealing she requested online sales well in advance but SM couldn’t meet the deadline due to production issues. She also promised more booths to ease lines but admitted fans would still face heat and long waits.
Karina: “I’m also really, really upset about the lightsticks only being sold on-site… I begged them to release them online first, even before they were revealed, but apparently there was some issue during production so they couldn’t meet the deadline.”
Karina: “They say they’ll try to increase the number of booths as much as possible, but in this heat ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
Karina: “I’m so, so sorry. I wanted to make sure you could enjoy the concert happily…”
Karina’s apology quickly fueled more backlash. Fans slammed SM for using her as a “shield” to absorb blame for the company’s poor planning.
“sm always uses karina as the shield and damage control. fuck them”
Many said it’s unfair Karina had to take responsibility for SM’s failures, noting this isn’t the first time she’s been put in that position.
“It kills me to know Karina feels bad about the lightstick sale like it’s not her fault SM doesn’t do things right. It sucks that she has to come and apologize to fans for SM’s incompetence.”
“karina has been asking for an improvement to the lightstick for over a year and after all this delay SM has the audacity not to have it ready when its supposed to be and send their artist to apologize for their incompetence when its not her responsibility. so unprofessional”
“Karina saying sorry on behalf of sm again bc she wanted them to release the lightstick online before the concert bc she’s worried of MYs having to fall in line when it’s HOT HOT outside but sm couldnt bc of production problems”
As the concerts approach, fans remain disappointed and continue pointing fingers at SM, not Karina.
